January 5, 2005

SRT8 is Dodge Magnum "on steroids".

Los Angeles, California - An all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 will make its debut today at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. Described as a "Dodge Magnum on steroids," by DaimlerChrysler, its 425-h.p., 6.1-litre HEMI engine will propel the car from 0-100 km/h in the "low five-second range."

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Equally impressive, the Magnum SRT8 will brake from 100 km/h in approximately 36-metres, putting it on par with several current two-seat sports cars. Brake calipers for the SRT8 were specially developed by Brembo, and are finished in Dodge SRT red. They each use four pistons, with 360x32mm vented rotors in the front, and 350x26mm vented rotors in the rear. The Magnum SRT8 will cover the 1/4 mile in 13-seconds.

The new 6.1-liter SRT version of the legendary HEMI engine was inspired by the original family of HEMIs - particularly the namesake hemispherical combustion chambers that provide power and efficiency and select visual cues including the classic orange-painted cylinder block and black valve covers.

The engine also matches the legendary "Street HEMI" of the 1960s and 1970s with its 425-horsepower rating, but it does so with less displacement. The 6.1-liter HEMI's 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds that of the Street HEMI.

Chassis setup for the Dodge Magnum SRT8 is aimed at all-around performance with SRT-tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings, and large-diameter anti-sway bars. The ride height of the Magnum SRT8 is one-half inch lower than the Dodge Magnum, while the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has been specially tuned for the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8's performance handling characteristics.

Dodge Magnum SRT8 styling is also unique with a body-color grille insert with chrome trim, satin-finish front and rear bumper inserts, body-color mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging. The car will arrive with a new wheel/tire combination, featuring 20" forged aluminum wheels and Goodyear F1 three-season tires.

Three exterior colors are available: Bright Silver, Brilliant Black and Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat.

In the U.S., the Magnum is available with Sirius satellite radio, but Canadians will have to wait for the CRTC to approve satellite radio here.

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 is built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario.

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